3D Printing Polymer Materials in Industries
While selecting a product to print a specific component, a close consideration is essential. Whilst the number of commercial usable polymers are accessible, not a single polymer offers one the required properties for a particular application. Moreover, no specific polymer present on the market can be printed using a single Additive Manufacturing technique. The material selection of 3D printing polymer materials is focused on the product and the desires of the customers. The atmosphere and conditions (e.g., temperature, mechanical load, UV Light, chemical exposure, radiation, and moisture), 3D printing method, availability and process ability under which the component is exposed must be taken into account.
Mechanical Characterization of 3D-Printing Polymer materials (Optimization Studies in 3D Printing)
There have been plenty of developments in Additive Manufacturing, the interface also has many problems that need to be resolved. Such problems are due to the complexity of the processes (which would be in certain situations is more sluggish than injection moulding processes and machining), the expenses of the equipment, and insufficient feedstock. The benefits, thus overshadow the disadvantages, as an Additive Manufacturing allows for fluid design, complicated macro and microstructures, and simple modelling and optimization. This led to the adoption of Additive Manufacturing as a main production method to print prototypes and final components by industries including biomedical engineering, transport and the military
Material selection strategies
The decision criteria for selection of materials for product design and manufacturing are:
1. Mechanical Properties
- Mechanical strength
- Density
- Thermal
- UV
- Radiation
2. Process ability
- Extrusion by melting
- Viscous
- Jetting
- Powder bed options
3. Availability
- Vendors availability
- Cost
- Shape
- Custom production
4. Material Identification
Polymer Applications
Polymers are used for producing PET bottles, dolls, tools, luggage, phones, computers, appliances, cushions, electronics, and transportation parts. Thus the polymers have become consumer products. It is sensible for efforts to develop 3D printable materials that can be produced quickly.